Device for loading and unloading a storage container with respect to a transport vehicle and associated system and method

ABSTRACT

A device adapted to operably engage a vehicle to load and unload a container between the vehicle and a surface, and to cooperate with the vehicle to transport the container, is provided. Such a device includes a pair of laterally separated horizontal lifting members configured to be vertically movable with respect to the vehicle and a vertically-movable member operably engaged with the forward ends of the lifting members. A tether is operably engaged between each lifting member and the container so as to secure the container thereto. A translatory device is engaged between the vehicle and the vertically-movable member and configured to support the lifting members as well as move the lifting members longitudinally with respect to the vehicle. To unload the container, the vertically-movable member and the lifting members raise the container above the vehicle and then the translatory device longitudinally moves the container along the vehicle past a vertical plane defined by the rearward end thereof. The container is then lowered to the surface by the vertically-movable member and the lifting members and the tethers disengaged from the container. The reverse procedure loads the container onto the vehicle. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of commonly owned copending U.S.application Ser. No. 10/395,861 filed on Mar. 24, 2003 (now U.S. Pat.No. ______), the entire content of which is expressly incorporatedhereinto by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to storage containers and, moreparticularly, to a device for loading and unloading a storage containerwith respect to a transport vehicle capable of transporting the storagecontainer, and an associated system and method.

2. Description of Related Art

Containers, particularly road-transportable shipping containers, areimportant commodities that are commonly used to ship and store cargo. Insome instances, such shipping containers may be fixed in the form of atrailer having wheels disposed under the container and configured to betowed behind a tow vehicle, such as a tractor trailer. However, suchtrailers must often to backed up to a shipping dock, configured tocompensate for the raised height of the container caused by the wheels,in order to permit convenient loading and unloading of the cargo. Ininstances where the cargo must he loaded and unloaded with respect tothe ground, such a configuration maybe inconvenient and/or result inadditional labor, difficulty in handling of the cargo, and/or the needfor additional equipment such as, for example, a forklift, to handle thecargo. Such trailer-type containers may also be difficult orinconvenient to store and/or ship due to the additional structure andhandling requirements of the trailer components attached to thecontainer.

One proposal has been to configure the container to be separable fromthe trailer. However, in order to load and unload the container withrespect to the trailer, a crane with lifting cables attached to cornerbrackets typically found on shipping containers is often required.Accordingly, it may also be inconvenient and/or cost inefficient toprovide a crane at each site where a container must be loaded and/orunloaded with respect to the trailer.

Another proposal has been, where the container is separable from thetrailer, to provide a container handling device capable of being engagedwith the container for loading and unloading the container, as well astransporting the container, independently of the trailer or transportvehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,062 to Warhurst et al. andU.S. Pat. No. 6,155,770 to Warhurst disclose an apparatus configured tolift and lower a container, wherein the apparatus includes wheels ateach corner such that the container can be rolled on the wheels andmoved independently of the transport vehicle. However, such anapparatus, in some instances, may not be capable of negotiating certainterrain, may be cumbersome to transport and operate, or may even presenta safety hazard when the container is supported thereby and raised abovethe ground.

Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus capable of loading andunloading a container with respect to a transport vehicle, wherein theapparatus is capable of deploying and retrieving the container withrespect to a desired location on the ground or other surface. Such anapparatus should also be stable, should have a relatively simple andcost effective construction and operation, and should be readilytransportable by the transport vehicle in addition to the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other needs are met by the present invention which, in oneembodiment, provides a device adapted to be operably engaged with atransport vehicle having a forward end and a rearward end, so as to becapable of loading a container onto the vehicle from a surface,unloading the container from the vehicle to the surface, and cooperatingwith the vehicle to transport the container. Such a device comprises apair of horizontal lifting members capable of being laterally separatedby at least a width of the container, wherein each lifting member has aforward and a rearward end and is configured to be vertically movablewith respect to the vehicle. A vertically-movable member is operablyengaged with the forward ends of the lifting members such that thelifting members are capable of moving vertically in correspondence withthe vertically-movable member, and such that the rearward ends of thelifting members are unsupported. A tether is capable of being operablyengaged between the container and each lifting member so as to securethe lifting members to the container. A translatory device is engagedwith the vehicle so as to be longitudinally movable with respectthereto, wherein the translatory device is operably engaged with thevertically-movable member and configured to support the lifting members.The translatory device is further configured to unload the container,after the container is raised above the vehicle by vertically-movablemember and the lifting members, by longitudinally moving the containeralong the vehicle past a vertical plane defined by the rearward endthereof. The container is then lowered to the surface by thevertically-movable member and the lifting members. The translatorydevice is also configured to load the container onto the vehicle, afterthe container is raised from the surface by the vertically-movablemember and the lifting members past a horizontal plane defined by therearward end of the vehicle, by longitudinally moving the containeralong the vehicle toward the forward end thereof, whereafter thecontainer is lowered onto the vehicle by the vertically-movable memberand the lifting members.

Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a systemadapted to be capable of delivering a storage container to and from asurface, and to be capable of transporting the container. Such a systemincludes a transport vehicle having a forward and a rearward end, and apair of horizontal lifting members capable of being laterally separatedby at least a width of the container. Each lifting member has a forwardand a rearward end and is configured to be vertically movable withrespect to the vehicle. A vertically-movable member is operably engagedwith the forward ends of the lifting members such that the liftingmembers are capable of moving vertically in correspondence with thevertically-movable member, and such that the rearward ends of thelifting members are unsupported. A tether is capable of being operablyand removably engaged between the container and each lifting member soas to secure the lifting members to the container. A translatory deviceis engaged with the vehicle so as to be longitudinally movable withrespect thereto, wherein the translatory device is operably engaged withthe vertically-movable member and is configured to support the liftingmembers. The translatory device is further configured to unload thecontainer, after the container is raised above the vehicle byvertically-movable member and the lifting members, by longitudinallymoving the container along the vehicle past a vertical plane defined bythe rearward end thereof The container is lowered to the surface by thevertically-movable member and the lifting members. The translatorydevice is also configured to load the container onto the vehicle, afterthe container is raised from the surface by the vertically-movablemember and the lifting members past a horizontal plane defined by therearward end of the vehicle, by longitudinally moving the containeralong the vehicle toward the forward end thereof, whereafter thecontainer is lowered onto the vehicle by the vertically-movable memberand the lifting members.

Yet another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises amethod of unloading a storage container from a transport vehicle to asurface, wherein the vehicle has a forward and a rearward end. First,the container is raised over the vehicle with a pair of horizontallifting members each having a forward end and a rearward end. Theforward ends of the lifting members are operably engaged by avertically-movable member such that the lifting members are verticallymovable in correspondence therewith and such that the rearward ends ofthe lifting members are unsupported. The lifting members are laterallyseparated by at least a width of the container and are operably engagedwith the container via a tether. The lifting members are then movedlongitudinally rearward along the vehicle with a translatory deviceoperably engaged between the vertically-movable member and the vehicleuntil the container extends past a horizontal plane defined by therearward end of the vehicle. The lifting members are then lowered so asto lower the container to the surface before the tethers are disengagedfrom the container. The lifting members are then moved longitudinallyforward along the vehicle toward the forward end so as to stow thelifting members about the vehicle.

Still another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises amethod of loading a storage container having sides onto a transportvehicle, the vehicle having a forward and a rearward end, from a surfacewith a pair of horizontal lifting members, wherein each lifting memberhas a forward and a rearward end, and wherein the lifting members areoperably engaged at the front ends thereof by a vertically-movablemember. The lifting members are thus configured to be vertically-movablewith respect to the vehicle and in correspondence with thevertically-movable member. As such, the lifting members are first movedlongitudinally rearward along the vehicle, with a translatory deviceoperably engaged between the vehicle and the lifting members, and past avertical plane defined by the rearward end thereof. The lifting membersare then lowered until the lifting members are disposed on either sideof and adjacent to the container, whereafter a tether is operablyengaged between each lifting member and the container so as to securethe container thereto. The lifting members are then raised so as toraise the container from the surface and past a horizontal plane definedby the rearward end of the vehicle. The lifting members are movedlongitudinally forward along the vehicle with the translatory deviceuntil the container is disposed over the vehicle, whereafter the liftingmembers are lowered so as to lower the container onto the vehicle suchthat the container is supported thereby.

Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a deviceadapted to be operably engaged with a transport vehicle so as to becapable of loading a container onto the vehicle from a surface,unloading the container from the vehicle to the surface, and cooperatingwith the vehicle to transport the container, wherein the transportvehicle has a forward and a rearward end. Such a device includes a pairof horizontal lifting members laterally separated by at least a width ofthe container, with each lifting member having a forward and a rearwardend, wherein each lifting member is configured to be vertically movablewith respect to the vehicle. A tether is provided which is capable ofbeing operably engaged between each lifting member and the container soas to secure the container thereto. A vertical post member having anupper end is operably engaged with each end of each lifting member suchthat each lifting member is capable of moving vertically therebetween. Apair of horizontal frame members is configured to operably engage thevehicle so as to be longitudinally slidable with respect thereto. Theslidable frame members are laterally separated by at least the width ofthe container and correspond to the respective lifting members, whereineach slidable frame member has a forward and a rearward end and isconfigured to support the post members associated with each respectivelifting member. The slidable frame members are further configured tounload the container, after the container is raised above the vehicle bythe lifting members, by longitudinally sliding along the vehicle untilthe container is past a vertical plane defined by the rearward end ofthe vehicle, whereafter the container is lowered to the surface by thelifting members. The slidable frame members are also configured to loadthe container onto the vehicle, after the container is raised from thesurface by the lifting members past a horizontal plane defined by therearward end of the vehicle, by longitudinally sliding along the vehicleand retracting toward the forward end thereof.

Another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises a systemadapted to be capable of delivering a storage container to and from asurface, and to be capable of transporting the container. Such a systemincludes a transport vehicle having a forward and a rearward end. A pairof horizontal lifting members is laterally separated by at least a widthof the container, wherein each lifting member has a forward and arearward end and is configured to be vertically movable with respect tothe vehicle. A tether is capable of being operably engaged between eachlifting member and the container so as to secure the container thereto.A vertical post member having an upper end is operably engaged with eachend of each lifting member such that each lifting member is capable ofmoving vertically therebetween. A pair of horizontal frame members isconfigured to operably engage the vehicle so as to be longitudinallyslidable with respect thereto, wherein the slidable frame members arelaterally separated by at least the width of the container andcorrespond to the respective lifting members. Each slidable frame memberhas a forward and a rearward end and is configured to support the postmembers associated with each respective lifting member. The slidableframe members are further configured to unload the container, after thecontainer is raised above the vehicle by the lifting members, bylongitudinally sliding along the vehicle until the container is past avertical plane defined by the rearward end of the vehicle, whereafterthe container is lowered to the surface by the lifting members. Theslidable frame members are also configured to load the container ontothe vehicle, after the container is raised from the surface by thelifting members past a horizontal plane defined by the rearward end ofthe vehicle, by longitudinally sliding along the vehicle and retractingtoward the forward end thereof.

Still another advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises amethod of unloading a storage container from a transport vehicle to asurface, wherein the vehicle has a forward and a rearward end. Thecontainer is first raised over the vehicle with a pair of horizontallifting members laterally separated by at least a width of thecontainer, wherein the lifting members are configured to be verticallymovable with respect to the vehicle, and wherein each lifting member hasa forward and a rearward end and is operably engaged with the containervia a tether. A pair of horizontal slidable frame members is then slidlongitudinally rearward along the vehicle until the container is past avertical plane defined by the rearward end of the vehicle. The slidableframe members are laterally separated by at least the width of thecontainer and support the respective lifting members. Thereafter, thelifting members are lowered so as to lower the container to the surfaceand the tethers are disengaged from the container. The slidable framemembers are then slid longitudinally forward along the vehicle until theslidable frame members retract toward the forward end thereof.

A further advantageous aspect of the present invention comprises amethod of loading a storage container having sides onto a transportvehicle from a surface, wherein the vehicle has a forward and a rearwardend. A pair of horizontal slidable frame members is first slidlongitudinally rearward along the vehicle until the slidable framemembers extend off the rearward end thereof and are disposed on eitherside of and adjacent to the container. The slidable frame members arethereby laterally separated by at least the width of the container andrespectively support a pair of horizontal lifting members. The liftingmembers are laterally separated by at least the width of the containerand are configured to be vertically movable with respect to the vehicle,with each lifting member having a forward and a rearward end. A tetheris operably engaged between each lifting member and the container so asto secure the container thereto. Thereafter, the lifting members areraised so as to raise the container from the surface and past ahorizontal plane defined by the rearward end of the vehicle. Theslidable frame members are then slid longitudinally forward along thevehicle until the slidable frame members retract toward the forward endthereof and the container is disposed over the vehicle, whereafter thecontainer is lowered onto the vehicle such that the container issupported thereby.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide significantadvantages as detailed further herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1-12 schematically illustrate an operational sequence of a deviceadapted to load, unload, and transport a container with respect to atransport vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates an alternate manner of securing thecontainer to lifting members according to one embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 14-20 schematically illustrate an operational sequence of a deviceadapted to load, unload, and transport a container with respect to atransport vehicle according to an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1-12 illustrates an operational sequence of a device adapted toload, unload, and transport a portable storage container with respect toa transport vehicle, the device being indicated generally by the numeral10 and the transport vehicle (otherwise referred to herein as “thevehicle”) being indicated generally by the numeral 100. As shown, thevehicle 100 generally comprises a vehicle frame 110 extending betweenforward and rearward sets of wheels 120, 130, wherein a cab 140 istypically disposed on the vehicle frame 110 about the forward set ofwheels 120. Such a vehicle 100 will be appreciated by one skilled in theart as being, for example, a truck configured to receive one of anynumber of bodies on the frame 110 behind the cab 140 though, in someinstances, the vehicle 100 may comprise a variety of custom-builttransporters within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Theremainder of the vehicle frame 110 is configured to support the portablestorage container 200 and has the device 10 operably engaged therewith.The remainder of the vehicle frame 110 thus generally defines a forwardend 112 and a rearward end 114 of the portion of the vehicle 100 onwhich the portable storage container 200 is supported and transported(the forward 112 and rearward 114 ends of the portion of the vehicle 100being otherwise referred to herein as the forward 112 and rearward 114ends of the vehicle 100) and corresponds to a longitudinal directionalong the vehicle 100. The vehicle frame 110 may further include two ormore support members 150 attached thereto and, in some instances, towardthe corners thereof. The support members 150 may be individuallyactuatable, with each having a foot 155 configured to extend to andengage the ground so as to provide support for and/or facilitateleveling of all or part of the vehicle frame 110 with respect to theground 50. One skilled in the art will appreciate that such supportmembers 150 may comprise and be operated by, for example, an appropriatehydraulic system, a chain/sprocket arrangement, electric or pneumaticdevices, or any other device capable of extending the support members150 to engage the ground and support and/or level all or part of thevehicle frame 110.

The device 10 includes a pair of generally horizontal lifting members300 each having a forward end 305 and a rearward end 310 with respect tothe orientation of the vehicle 100. The lifting members 300 are operablyengaged at the forward ends 305 thereof to a vertically-movable member320, leaving the rearward ends 310 unsupported. According to theillustrated embodiment, a connecting member 330 extends between theforward end 305 of the respective lifting member 300 and thevertically-movable member 320. More particularly, the connecting member330 is pivotably engaged with the vertically movable member,320 andfixedly engaged with the forward end 305 of the lifting member 300. Thatis, the connecting member 330 may be attached to or integral with theforward end 305 of the lifting member 300. As such, pivoting of theconnecting member 330 with respect to the vertically-movable member 320affects the lateral separation of the lifting members 300. One skilledin the art will appreciate, however, that laterally spaced-apart liftingmembers 300 may be accomplished in many different manners. For example,in some instances, the connecting members 330 may be fixedly engagedwith the vertically-movable member 320 and the vertically-movable member320 configured to be lengthwise expandable, as will also be appreciatedby one skilled in the art.

The assembly comprising the lifting members 300, the connecting members330, and the vertically-movable member 320 may also include a spacingactuator 340 for controlling the pivoting of the connecting members 330with respect to the vertically-movable member 320, and therefore thelateral spacing of the lifting members 300. The spacing actuator 340 maycomprise, for example, a hydraulic system (not shown) having hydraulicrams 350 in appropriate communication and extending between thevertically-movable member 320 and the respective connecting member 330or lifting member 300. The device 10 also includes a vertical movementdevice 400 operably engaged with the vertically-movable member 320 forraising and lowering the lifting members 300 with respect to the vehicle100. As shown, such a vertical movement device 400 may comprise, forexample, a mast 410 having an upper end 415 and a lower end 420, wherebythe vertically-movable member 320, and thus the lifting members 300 thatmove in correspondence with the vertically-movable member 320, areconfigured to move between the upper and lower ends 415, 420. Suchmovement may be accomplished, for example, with an appropriate hydraulicsystem, a chain/sprocket arrangement, electric or pneumatic devices, orthe like as will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art. Thelower end 420 of the mast 410 is engaged with a base 430, wherein thelower end 420 may be fixedly or pivotably engaged with the base 430. Ininstances where the mast 410 is pivotably engaged with the base 430, apivot actuator 440 is engaged between the mast 410 and the base 430 andconfigured to move the upper end 415 of the mast 410 back and forthbetween the forward end 112 and the rearward end 114 of the vehicle 100so as to control a tilt angle of the mast 410 with respect to thevehicle 100.

The device 10 further includes a translatory device 500 operably engagedbetween the vehicle frame 110 and the mast 410, wherein, in someinstances, the base 430 and/or the pivot actuator 440 may comprise acomponent of the translatory device 500. The translatory device 500 isconfigured to move the base 430, and thus the vertically-movable member320 and lifting members 300, longitudinally along the vehicle frame 110between the forward and rearward ends 112, 114 thereof. One skilled inthe art will readily appreciate that the translatory device 500 maycomprise, for example, an appropriate hydraulic system, a chain/sprocketarrangement, electric or pneumatic devices, or other suitable devicecapable of translating the vertically-movable member 320 and the liftingmembers 300 longitudinally along the vehicle frame 110. Embodiments ofthe device 10, as described, may be in some instances, discrete withrespect to the vehicle 100 though, in'some instances, the device 10 maybe formed as an integral part of the vehicle. It is within the scope ofthe present invention, though, that such a device 10 may be engaged witha stationary platform as an alternative to being implemented on avehicle 100 and that many other uses of such a device 10 may becontemplated in addition to that disclosed herein.

As previously described, the device 10 is configured to load, unload,and transport a portable storage container 200 with respect to a vehicle100. As such, other advantageous aspects of the present inventioninclude methods associated with loading and unloading the container 200with respect to the vehicle 100. According to one advantageous aspect asshown in FIG. 1, the container 200, when resting on and being supportedby the vehicle frame 110 defines the widest part of the vehicle 100. Insuch a configuration, the lifting members 300 are disposed in a stowedposition below the container 300, and generally above the wheels 120,130, by appropriate positioning of the vertically-movable member 320 bythe vertical movement device 400 and appropriate positioning of thelifting members 300 by the spacing actuator 340. In order to unload thecontainer 200 from the vehicle 100, the spacing actuator 340 is firstactuated to outwardly pivot the connecting members 330 so as tolaterally space the lifting members 300 by at least the width of thecontainer 200, as shown in FIG. 1. Once the lifting members 300 aresufficiently spaced apart, the vertical movement device 400 may beactuated to raise the lifting members 300 to at least the level of thebottom of the container 200. One or more tethers 550 comprising, forexample, appropriate chains, straps, or the like, are then connectedbetween each lifting member 300 and the lower end of the container 200such that the container 200 is secured to and between the liftingmembers 300, as shown in FIG. 2. In some instances, a spacer 560 may beinterposed between each tether 550 and the container 200, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 13, wherein the spacer 560 is configured to move thecontainer end of the respective tether 560 away from the container 200so as to limit the extent to which the lifting members 300 may be drawninward toward the container 200 due to the weight of the container 200and thereby prevent damage to the container 200 from contacttherebetween. One skilled in the art will note that, at some pointbefore or during the unloading process, such as prior to moving thelifting members 300 from the stowed position, the support members 150associated with the vehicle 100 may be deployed in order to level thevehicle frame 110 from side to side or forward to rearward, or in orderto provide support for the rearward end 114 of the vehicle frame 110.

Once the tethers 550, and possibly the spacers 560, are engaged betweenthe container 200 and the lifting members 300, the vertical movementdevice 400 is actuated to lift the lifting members 300 and thus raisethe container 200 over the vehicle frame 110, as shown in FIG. 2. Oncethe container 200 clears the vehicle frame 110, the translatory device500 is actuated to longitudinally move the lifting members 300 and thecontainer 200 rearward along the vehicle 100, as shown in FIG. 3. Whenthe container 200, and in some instances the vertically-movable member320 and the lifting members 300, are moved past a vertical plane definedby the rearward end 114 of the vehicle 100, the translatory device 500is deactuated and the vertical movement device 400 actuated so as tolower the container 200 to the ground, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. Once thecontainer 200 is supported by the ground, the tethers 550 (and spacers560, if any), are disengaged from the container 200 and lifting members300. The vertical lifting device 400 and the translatory device 500 arethen actuated to vertically and longitudinally move thevertically-movable member 320 and the lifting members 300 back towardthe forward end 112 of the vehicle 100, whereafter the lifting members300 are appropriately positioned back in the stowed position and thesupport members 150 retracted.

Though loading the container 200 onto the vehicle 100 is generally thereverse procedure with respect to the described unloading procedure, theloading procedure will be described herein for the sake of completeness.As such, in order to load the container 200, the vehicle 100 is reversedto a position adjacent to the container 200 and the support members 150deployed. The vertical movement device 400 and the translatory device500 are then actuated so as to move the lifting members 300 from thestowed position to a position adjacent to the sides of the container200. The tethers 550 (and spacers 560, if any) are then engaged betweenthe container 200 and the respective lifting members 300. Once thecontainer 200 is secured to the lifting members 300, the verticalmovement device 400 is actuated to raise the container 200 past ahorizontal plane defined by the rearward end 114 of the vehicle 100, asshown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The translatory device 500 is then actuated tomove the container 200 toward the forward end of the vehicle 100 suchthat, when the container 200 is disposed at an appropriate locationabove the vehicle frame 110, the translatory device 500 is deactuatedand the vertical movement device 400 actuated so as to lower thecontainer 200 onto the vehicle frame 110 whereby the container 200 isthen supported by the vehicle 100 and is transportable thereby, as shownin FIGS. 9-11. The tethers 550 (and spacers 560, if any) are thenremoved from engagement with the container 220 and the lifting members300 before the lifting members 300 are returned to the stowed positionand the support members 150 retracted, as shown in FIG. 12.

One skilled in the art will also appreciate that embodiments of thedevice 10 as described herein may also be applicable and adapted to manydifferent types of containers as well as other objects. For example, thedevice 10 may be adapted to be applicable to garbage or debrisdumpsters, fuel tanks such as propane or LP gas tanks, other liquid orgas tanks, or many other containers, tanks, receptacles, or the like. Inother instances, the device 10 may be adapted to be a vehicle lift andcarrier. That is, the device 10 may be adapted to be a car carrier wherethe lifting members 300 may be configured as one or more flat platformsor other suitable supports on which a car, truck, or other vehicle maybe loaded, unloaded, and transported on the vehicle 100 usingappropriately configured mechanisms and methods as described herein. Assuch, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the device 10 may beadapted, configured, or used for many other situations, devices, orpurposes in addition to or in the alternative to that described hereinwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

An alternate embodiment of a device 10 according to the presentinvention is shown in FIGS. 14-20. As shown, such an alternateembodiment of the device 10 includes a pair of opposing horizontal framemembers 600 operably engaged with the vehicle frame 110 and extendingrearward from the cab 120, with each horizontal frame member 600 havinga forward end 605 and a rearward end 610. Each horizontal frame member600 further includes a horizontal sliding member 620 slidably engagedtherewith, wherein each horizontal sliding member 620 has a forward end625 and a rearward end 630 and is at least as long as the container 200.Each end 625, 630 of each horizontal sliding member 620 has a verticalpost member 640 extending upwardly therefrom. The vertical post members640 at the forward ends 625 and the rearward ends 630 of the horizontalsliding members 620 may be connected by a first and a second uppertransverse member 645, 650, respectively, while the horizontal framemembers 600 and/or the horizontal sliding members 620 may be connectedby a lower transverse member 660. The upper transverse members 645, 650are further configured to be expandable, as is the lower transversemember 660. At least one of the upper transverse members 645, 650 andthe lower transverse member 660, such as the lower transverse member660, includes an actuator (not shown) operably engaged therewith andconfigured to selectively expand and contract the lower transversemember 660. The actuator may comprise, for example, an appropriatehydraulic system, a chain/sprocket arrangement, electric or pneumaticdevices, or other suitable device, as will be appreciated by one skilledin the art. As such, adjustment of the transverse dimension of the lowertransverse member 660 by the actuator thereby results in a correspondingtransverse adjustment in the remainder of the transverse members 645,650 such that the horizontal frame members 600, the correspondinghorizontal sliding members 620, and the vertical post members 640 can belaterally spaced to accommodate the container 200 therebetween.

A horizontal lifting member 680 extends between the vertical postmembers 640 at the forward and rearward ends 625, 630 of each horizontalsliding member 620, wherein the horizontal lifting member 680 isconfigured to be vertically movable along the respective vertical postmembers 640. For example, the respective vertical post members 640 mayinclude, for example, opposing slots 685 extending therealong so as toguide the corresponding ends of the horizontal lifting member 680 as thehorizontal lifting member 680 is vertically moved with respect to thevertical post member 640. In one embodiment, each horizontal liftingmember 680 further includes a pulley (not shown) at each end thereof.One or more tethers 550 such as, for example, chains, straps, or thelike, extend between the horizontal lifting members 680 and thecontainer 200 such that the container 200 is secured between thehorizontal lifting members 680 and between the four vertical postmembers 640. In one instance, one of the vertical post members 640 at aforward end 625 of a horizontal sliding member 620 includes a liftactuator (not shown) operably engaged therewith and capable of extendingalong the vertical post member 640, wherein such a lift actuator maycomprise, for example, an appropriate hydraulic system, a chain/sprocketarrangement, electric or pneumatic devices, or any other suitabledevice. On each side of the device 10, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention, a chain (not shown) is fixedly engaged with theupper end of the vertical post member 640 at the rearward end 630 of therespective horizontal sliding member 620. The chain extends around thepulley at the proximate end of the horizontal lifting member 680, aroundthe pulley at the opposite end of that horizontal lifting member 680,and to the lift actuator. Accordingly, the lift actuator and chain(s)are configured that actuation of the lift actuator such as, for example,the extension of a hydraulic ram, causes the chain(s) to lift thehorizontal lifting members 680 toward the upper ends of the verticalpost members 640 so as to lift the container 200 which is secured to thehorizontal lifting members 680 by the tethers 550.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of thevertical post members 640 at the rearward ends 630 of the horizontalsliding members 620 further include an independently actuatable levelingdevice 700 configured to maintain the horizontal sliding member 620substantially parallel to the horizontal frame member 600 as thehorizontal sliding member 620 is extended off the horizontal framemember 600 and the rearward end 114 of the vehicle frame 110. Eachleveling device 700 includes an extendable member 710 having adirectionally-fixed wheel 720 attached to the lower end thereof. Aproximity sensor (not shown) is engaged between the horizontal framemember 600 and the horizontal sliding member 620 and is configured toappropriately provide a signal to or otherwise direct the respectiveleveling device 700 to extend or retract the extendable member 710 tomaintain the horizontal sliding member 620 level with the horizontalframe member 600 as the horizontal sliding members 620 are extended offthe rearward end 114 of the vehicle frame 110.

In a container-loading procedure, the vehicle 100 is first backed up toa container 200 resting on the ground. Once the vehicle 100 is properlypositioned, the support members 150 attached to the vehicle frame 110,of which in this example are four in number with one at each corner ofthe vehicle frame 110, are extended and adjusted so as to level thevehicle frame 110 with respect to the ground and so as to allow theupper transverse members 645, 650 to clear the top of the container 200.The actuator associated with the first lower transverse member 660 isthen adjusted such that the distance between the horizontal slidingmembers 620 is sufficient to accommodate the container 200 therebetween.The horizontal sliding members 620 are then extended longitudinallyrearward from the horizontal frame members 600 and off the rearward end114 of the vehicle frame 110 until the vertical post members 640generally correspond to the corners of the container 200. Generallyconcurrently with the extension of the horizontal sliding members 620,the leveling devices 700 associated with the vertical post members 640at the rearward ends 630 of the horizontal sliding members 620 aredeployed so as to maintain the horizontal sliding members 620 level withthe horizontal frame members 600 and thus the vehicle frame 110, asshown in FIG. 14.

If necessary, the lift actuator associated with the vertical postmembers 640 is adjusted such that the horizontal lifting members 680 areat a sufficient height with respect to the container 200 so as to allowthe necessary tethers 550 to be connected between the container 200 andthe horizontal lifting members 680, as further shown in FIG. 14. Thelift actuator associated with the vertical post members 640 is thenactuated so as to raise the horizontal lifting members 680, and thus thecontainer 200, toward the upper ends of the vertical post members 640,as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. At the same time, the leveling devices 700actively maintain the horizontal sliding members 620 level with thehorizontal frame members 600 and the vehicle frame 110. Once thecontainer 200 is sufficiently raised past a horizontal plane defined bythe vehicle frame 110, the horizontal sliding members 620 are retractedtoward the forward end 112 of the vehicle 100 so as to draw thecontainer 200 over the vehicle frame 110, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.Once the container 200 is in place over the vehicle frame 110 (where thehorizontal sliding members 620 are fully retracted with respect to thehorizontal frame members 600), the horizontal lifting members 680 arelowered by the lift actuator so as to rest the container 200 on thevehicle frame 110 such that the container 200 is supported thereby, asshown in FIG. 19. The leveling devices 700 associated with the verticalpost members 640 at the rearward ends 630 of the horizontal slidingmembers 620 are then retracted. The support members 150 associated withthe vehicle frame 110 are also retracted, as shown in FIG. 20. Thecontainer 200 is then capable of being transported by the vehicle 100.Deployment of the container 200 is further accomplished by generallyreversing the steps of the described loading procedure and thus is notexplicitly described herein.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thisinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A device adapted to be operably engaged with atransport vehicle so as to be capable of loading a container onto thevehicle from a surface, unloading the container from the vehicle to thesurface, and cooperating with the vehicle to transport the container,and the transport vehicle having a forward end and a rearward end, saiddevice comprising: a pair of horizontal lifting members laterallyseparated by at least a width of the container, each lifting memberhaving a forward and a rearward end and being configured to bevertically movable with respect to the vehicle; a tether capable ofbeing operably engaged between each lifting member and the container soas to secure the container thereto; a vertical post member operablyengaged with each end of each lifting member such that each liftingmember is capable of moving vertically therebetween, each post memberhaving an upper end; and a pair of horizontal frame members configuredto operably engage the vehicle so as to be longitudinally slidable withrespect thereto, the slidable frame members being laterally separated byat least the width of the container and corresponding to the respectivelifting members, each slidable frame member having a forward and arearward end and being configured to support the post members associatedwith each respective lifting member, the slidable frame members beingfurther configured to unload the container, after the container israised above the vehicle by the lifting members, by longitudinallysliding along the vehicle until the container is past a vertical planedefined by the rearward end of the vehicle, whereafter the container islowered to the surface by the lifting members, the slidable framemembers also being configured to load the container onto the vehicle,after the container is raised from the surface by the lifting memberspast a horizontal plane defined by the rearward end of the vehicle, bylongitudinally sliding along the vehicle and retracting toward theforward end thereof.
 34. A device according to claim 33 furthercomprising a slide actuator operably engaged with the slidable framemembers and configured to longitudinally slide the frame members withrespect to the vehicle.
 35. A device according to claim 33 furthercomprising a lift actuator operably engaged with the lifting members andconfigured to vertically move the lifting members with respect to therespective post members associated therewith.
 36. A device according toclaim 33 wherein the slidable frame members are operably engaged at theforward ends thereof by a lateral frame member extending therebetween.37. A device according to claim 33 wherein the post members at theforward ends of the lifting members are operably engaged at the upperends thereof by a lateral frame member extending therebetween.
 38. Adevice according to claim 33 wherein the post members at the rearwardends of the lifting members are operably engaged at the upper endsthereof by a lateral frame member extending therebetween.
 39. A deviceaccording to claim 33 further comprising a leveling device operablyengaged with at least one of the rearward end of each slidable framemember and each post member at the rearward ends of the slidable framemembers, each leveling device being configured to support the rearwardend of the respective slidable frame member with respect to the surface.40. A device according to claim 39 wherein the leveling device furthercomprises a downwardly extending support member having at least onewheel rotatably engaged with a lower end thereof.
 41. A device accordingto claim 39 further comprising a support actuator and a level sensoroperably engaged with the leveling device, wherein the level sensor isconfigured to determine whether the slidable frame member is parallel tothe longitudinal plane of the vehicle, and the support actuator iscapable of adjusting the leveling device in response to the levelingsensor so as to maintain the slidable frame member in parallel relationto the longitudinal plane of the vehicle.
 42. A system adapted to becapable of delivering a storage container to and from a surface, and tobe capable of transporting the container, said system comprising: atransport vehicle having a forward and a rearward end and defining alongitudinal plane; a pair of horizontal lifting members laterallyseparated by at least a width of the container, each lifting memberhaving a forward and a rearward end and being configured to bevertically movable with respect to the vehicle; a tether capable ofbeing operably engaged between each lifting member and the container soas to secure the container thereto; a vertical post member operablyengaged with each end of each lifting member such that each liftingmember is capable of moving vertically therebetween, each post memberhaving an upper end; and a pair of horizontal frame members configuredto operably engage the vehicle so as to be longitudinally slidable withrespect thereto, the slidable frame members being laterally separated byat least the width of the container and corresponding to the respectivelifting members, each slidable frame member having a forward and arearward end and being configured to support the post members associatedwith each respective lifting member, the slidable frame members beingfurther configured to unload the container, after the container israised above the vehicle by the lifting members, by longitudinallysliding along the vehicle until the container is past a vertical planedefined by the rearward end of the vehicle, whereafter the container islowered to the surface by the lifting members, the slidable framemembers also being configured to load the container onto the vehicle,after the container is raised from the surface by the lifting memberspast a horizontal plane defined by the rearward end of the vehicle, bylongitudinally sliding along the vehicle and retracting toward theforward end thereof.
 43. A system according to claim 42 furthercomprising a slide actuator operably engaged with the slidable framemembers and configured to longitudinally slide the frame members withrespect to the vehicle.
 44. A system according to claim 42 furthercomprising a lift actuator operably engaged with the lifting members andconfigured to vertically move the lifting members with respect to therespective post members associated therewith.
 45. A system according toclaim 42 further comprising a leveling device operably engaged with atleast one of the rearward end of each slidable frame member and eachpost member at the rearward ends of the slidable frame members, eachleveling device being configured to support the rearward end of therespective slidable frame member with respect to the surface.
 46. Asystem according to claim 45 wherein the leveling device furthercomprises a downwardly extending support member having at least onewheel rotatably engaged with a lower end thereof.
 47. A system accordingto claim 45 further comprising a support actuator and a level sensoroperably engaged with the leveling device, wherein the level sensor isconfigured to determine whether the slidable frame member is parallel tothe longitudinal plane of the vehicle, and the support actuator iscapable of adjusting the leveling device in response to the levelingsensor so as to maintain the slidable frame member in parallel relationto the longitudinal plane of the vehicle.
 48. A system according toclaim 42 further comprising a plurality of support members operablyengaged with the vehicle, the support members being independentlyactuatable so as to level the vehicle with respect to the surface beforeloading and unloading the container with respect to the vehicle.
 49. Amethod of unloading a storage container from a transport vehicle to asurface, the vehicle having a forward and a rearward end, said methodcomprising: raising the container over the vehicle with a pair ofhorizontal lifting members laterally separated by at least a width ofthe container and configured to be vertically movable with respect tothe vehicle, each lifting member having a forward and a rearward end andbeing operably engaged with the container via a tether; sliding a pairof horizontal slidable frame members longitudinally rearward along thevehicle until the container is past a vertical plane defined by therearward end of the vehicle, the slidable frame members being literallyseparated by at least the width of the container and supporting therespective lifting members; lowering the lifting members so as to lowerthe container to the surface; disengaging the tethers from thecontainer; and sliding the slidable frame members longitudinally forwardalong the vehicle until the slidable frame members retract toward theforward end thereof.
 50. A method according to claim 49 furthercomprising independently actuating a plurality of support membersoperably engaged with the vehicle so as to level the vehicle withrespect to the surface before raising the container over the vehicle.51. A method according to claim 49 further comprising actuating aleveling device operably engaged with the rearward end of each slidableframe member so as to support the rearward end of the respectiveslidable frame member with respect to the surface.
 52. A methodaccording to claim 51 further comprising determining whether theslidable frame member is parallel to the longitudinal plane of thevehicle with a level sensor operably engaged with the leveling device.53. A method according to claim 52 further comprising adjusting theleveling device with a support actuator operably engaged therewith inresponse to the leveling sensor so as to maintain the slidable framemember in parallel relation to the longitudinal plane of the vehicle.54. A method according to claim 49 wherein sliding the slidable framemembers further comprises actuating a slide actuator operably engagedwith the slidable frame members and configured to longitudinally slidethe frame members with respect to the vehicle.
 55. A method according toclaim 49 wherein raising the container over the vehicle with a pair ofhorizontal lifting members further comprises actuating a lift actuatoroperably engaged with the lifting members and configured to verticallymove the lifting members.
 56. A method according to claim 55 whereinlowering the lifting members further comprises actuating the liftactuator to lower the lifting members and thereby lower the container tothe surface.
 57. A method according to claim 49 wherein raising thecontainer over the vehicle with a pair of horizontal lifting membersfurther comprises raising the container over the vehicle with a pair ofhorizontal lifting members, each lifting member being vertically movablebetween a pair of vertical post member operably engaged with each end ofthe respective lifting member.
 58. A method of loading a storagecontainer having sides onto a transport vehicle from a surface, thevehicle having a forward and a rearward end, said method comprising:sliding a pair of horizontal slidable frame members longitudinallyrearward along the vehicle until the slidable frame members extend offthe rearward end thereof and are disposed on either side of and adjacentto the container, the slidable frame members thereby being laterallyseparated by at least the width of the container and respectivelysupporting a pair of horizontal lifting members, the lifting membersbeing laterally separated by at least the width of the container andconfigured to be vertically movable with respect to the vehicle, eachlifting member having a forward and a rearward end; operably engaging atether between each lifting member and the container so as to secure thecontainer thereto; and raising the lifting members so as to raise thecontainer from the surface and past a horizontal plane defined by therearward end of the vehicle; sliding the slidable frame memberslongitudinally forward along the vehicle until the slidable framemembers retract toward the forward end thereof and the container isdisposed over the vehicle; and lowering the container onto the vehiclesuch that the container is supported thereby.
 59. A method according toclaim 58 further comprising actuating a plurality of support membersoperably engaged with the vehicle so as to level the vehicle withrespect to the surface before sliding the slidable frame memberslongitudinally rearward along the vehicle.
 60. A method according toclaim 58 further comprising actuating a leveling device operably engagedwith the rearward end of each slidable frame member so as to support therearward end of the respective slidable frame member with respect to thesurface.
 61. A method according to claim 60 further comprisingdetermining whether the slidable frame member is parallel to thelongitudinal plane of the vehicle with a level sensor operably engagedwith the leveling device.
 62. A method according to claim 61 furthercomprising adjusting the leveling device with a support actuatoroperably engaged therewith in response to the leveling sensor so as tomaintain the slidable frame member in parallel relation to thelongitudinal plane of the vehicle.
 63. A method according to claim 58wherein sliding the slidable frame members further comprises actuating aslide actuator operably engaged with the slidable frame members andconfigured to longitudinally slide the frame members with respect to thevehicle.
 64. A method according to claim 58 wherein raising the liftingmembers further comprises actuating a lift actuator operably engagedwith the lifting members and configured to vertically move the liftingmembers.
 65. A system for transporting a storage container and forpositioning the storage container relative to a container-supportingsurface, said system comprising: a transport vehicle having a vehicleframe with a forward end and a rearward end between which the containeris supported when the container is loaded onto and transported by thevehicle; the vehicle frame comprising a laterally separated pair ofhorizontal frame members, and a pair of horizontal sliding members eachcoupled to a respective one of the horizontal frame members forreciprocal sliding movements relative thereto between a retractedposition wherein the horizontal sliding members are positioned betweenthe forward and rearward ends of the vehicle frame, and an extendedposition wherein the horizontal sliding members extend rearwardly beyondthe rearward end of the vehicle frame; a pair of vertically adjustableleveling members each having a surface-engageable wheel and attached toa rearward end of a respective one of the horizontal sliding members; alifting mechanism operatively connected to and carried by the pair ofhorizontal sliding members for vertically lifting a container, and adrive system coupled operatively to the horizontal sliding members so asto cause the horizontal sliding members to reciprocally move between theretracted and extended positions thereof relative to the horizontalframe members